Rockville Centre targets ticket scofflaws

Drivers with at least three unpaid traffic tickets in Rockville Centre could face having their vehicles impounded and their registrations suspended under a new program aimed at collecting outstanding parking fines.

“We have people who have accumulated $12,000 in fines,” village Police Commissioner Chuck Gennario said in a statement. “Ignoring tickets is irresponsible and unfair to those who do pay what they owe. We will not be ignoring these scofflaws.”

Under the program, the Village Court will use mail to notify registered owners who have three or more unpaid tickets — regardless of whether they live in the village — that their vehicles are subject to impound. An owner who fails to pay can be declared a scofflaw and the vehicle’s registration suspended. Police may then impound the vehicle.

The owner would have to pay the total amount of the fines, penalties and a $250 towing charge before the registration is restored and the vehicle returned.

The Village Court is owed more than $1.5 million in outstanding fines, village officials said. For more information, contact the Village Court at 516-678-9289.